How often do you start a search by looking on Google? Yeah, I do that moreoften than I'd like to admit, too. But even if you think of yourself as aGoogle sophisticate, chances are there are a lot of advanced andspecialized search techniques you aren't taking advantage of – in partbecause Google is always developing new and useful ways to search. Onecaveat – keep in mind that, for political and other reasons, Googlesometimes engages in search-result censorship (here's a recent example),so you should never assume that not finding something on Google means itisn't out there on the Internet somewhere. Hereand here are explanationsof how the censorship works.

That said, Google still offers a useful starting point. There are easyways to find new Google-related tools, but first let's review a fewexisting tools that are particularly helpful for reporters. One such, Ithink, is a link-navigation query. In Google's search box, if you typelink: before the URL for a website, Google will list all the other sitesthat link to that website. Just use the domain name (that's whatever isbetween the http:// and the first "/" at the end of the URL). For example,if you type in link: www.J-source.ca you'll find the 661 websites thathave linked to this site. What's the point? Sometimes it can be helpful tosee who's linking to a site when you're looking for a particular source,or trying to get more information about a website, a company, or what haveyou.

There are lots of other useful search terms (what Google calls searchoperators) that you can type directly into the search box, instead ofhaving to go to the "advanced search" page. To offer a few examples...

After strong objection of ACORAB, local intellectuals and local community,Radio Ramaroshan resumed transmission from morning of 10 December 2008 aftertwo days of padlock.

In spite of regular threatening to the station for broadcasting series ofinvestigative report on corruption, black marketing and illegal trading ofliquor, the station continued to do so. A group of people padlocked thestation at the presence of Police Inspector on 8 December 2008. Though thepeople apologised and let the station to resume unconditional at thepresence of Chief District Officer, it is very serious to know that localpolice provided back support to padlock the station.

Along with issuing a strong press release condemning such coward act, ACORABdid talk to Chief District Officer, District Police Officer, local partyleaders and Constituent Assembly members to draw their serious attention ontaking stern action against the culprits and provide support to the station.

Being umbrella organisation of community radios of Nepal, ACORAB will notcompromise on protecting right to information and freedom of expression andwill strongly defend to protect member community radios of Nepal. ACORABappreciates all for providing support to the station.

This conference – the fifth transnational forum – aims to continue thework of Sussex 2001, Madison, Wisconsin 2003 Melbourne 2005 andLincoln 2007 to bring together scholars, practitioners, and studentsof radio to share ideas and perspectives on radio's cultural role inan increasingly global media context.We welcome proposals and abstracts for papers, panels, and symposia onall aspects of radio – historical, cultural, critical, andinstitutional – including investigations of the changing form andcontent of radio and its associated audio media.

Preference will be given to papers and panels which report on currentempirical research, introduce innovations in learning and teach ingstrategies, or engagement with key areas of theory or debate in radiostudies.

You may submit proposals for individual papers, pre-constitutedpanels, or symposia. Papers should be in English primarily. Shouldthere be sufficient interest, French and/or bilingual panels may beformed. See our website athttp://theradioconference2009.apps01.yorku.ca/<http://theradioconference2009.apps01.yorku.ca/> for information andinstructions on how to submit your proposal. Information about keynotespeakers, accommodation, travel, helpful links, and the conferenceschedule will be posted when available.

Submission deadlines

Abstracts deadline is Friday 30th January 2009 and decisions willbe20communicated before Tuesday 30 March 2009. If you have aparticular need for an earlier decision please explain why in yoursubmission. Please send a 250 to 300 word abstract, brief author'sbiography and contact information to Anne MacLennan atradio09@yorku.ca (radio zero nine at yorku.ca).

The conference is jointly sponsored by the York University, Torontoand the Radio Studies Network.

The proposals will be peer reviewed by a panel of internationalscholars including:

Creative-Radio is an independent forum for people active in or interested in the use of radio in development, in particular promoting public health, improved education, protection of the environment, improved livelihoods, good governance and conflict mitigation. Since it started in 1996, Creative-Radio has been in the forefront of radio's resurgence as a tool for social change and peace-building, and it helps promote best practice in these areas.